Dale Clifton Hamilton

Dale Clifton Hamilton, 67, of Salem and formerly of La Grande, died March 11 at a Salem hospital. At his request, there will be no memorial service.

Dale was born July 10, 1942, to Ida Frances (French) and Earle Clifton Hamilton in

La Grande. He attended La Grande schools and graduated from La Grande High School in 1960. Dale met Linda Moeller in Ontario, and they married April 12, 1963, in La Grande.

He served in the Oregon National Guard and later in the Army Reserves. Dale operated a Texaco service station in La Grande, then in 1968 joined the United Parcel Service. He worked as a driver, supervisor and center manager for UPS until his retirement in 1995. During Dale's years with UPS he made many lifelong friends.

Dale enjoyed spending time with family, being in the mountains, hunting, fishing and water-skiing. Growing up, his carpentry skills and mechanical abilities were developed working in both his grandfather's and his father's auto shops.

Dale loved Wallowa Lake. He began vacationing there as a child and continued throughout his life. After retirement, Dale and Linda spent their summers at the lake. He taught many family members and friends to water-ski and to fish and to love Wallowa Lake as he did.

Survivors include his wife, Linda of Salem; brother and sister-in-law, Toney and Karen Hamilton of La Grande; sons and daughters-in-law, Troy and Evelyn Hamilton of Vancouver, Wash., and Kelley and Janet Hamilton of Salem; and five grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Leukemia Society (www.lls.org).

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